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Yet another debacle at Christchurch, with India notching up exactly the same total as at Auckland - 108 - showed that the batsmen have just not learned to apply themselves in alien conditions. Instead, they have become adept at blaming the tracks for their misfortunes. My argument is that the batsmen should definitely have anticipated pitches like this before they set out for New Zealand. Clearly, surfaces all around the world are not going to be the same flat beauties that are encountered in India, and the one at Christchurch was not so atrocious that a quality team could not last 50 overs on it. But once again, meeting hints of swing and seam, the batting caved meekly, and the results were there for all to see. What is sadder is that the skipper, Sourav Ganguly, seems more intent on casting aspersions on the wicket than getting his team to last 50 overs in the middle. As an opener as well as the captain, he should be leading the way in showing application and determination at the crease, fighting it out in adverse conditions. I was also surprised that Parthiv Patel was not picked to play at Christchurch. Evidently the usual formula is not working, so the least that the team management can do is try something new. The one step in that direction that they did take - the inclusion of Ajit Agarkar - paid dividends, and perhaps a few more adjustments would have come off as well. Patel, moreover, appears to have a sound head on his young shoulders, as well as an inherent ability to tough it out. He could be a good candidate to last all 50 overs of an innings, and since it is obviously our batting that is repeatedly coming undone, a grittier batsman may make all the difference in the middle order. But all said and done, no amount of tinkering will substitute for solid attitude. At Christchurch, a total of even 170 would have been defendable, and all it required was one person to drop anchor and play a steady innings. Instead, they all perished in the pursuit of cavalier and irresponsible stroke-making and so are now faced with a do-or-die situation for the next game at Queenstown. It will be a tough game, no doubt, but the Indians have brought it upon themselves, and now they must face the music. © CricInfo |
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